Bands Travel Far and Wide for Champion Brass

MEDIA RELEASE – 11 June 2007

For immediate release

Bands Travel Far and Wide for Champion Brass on the Shore

Over 1200 musicians from 33 bands converge on North Shore City next month for a five day festival of music making, competitions and parades as part of the 127th NZ National Brass Band Championships.

Beginning on Wednesday 4th July the solo and group events will be at various venues around the central city. These heats lead to the Champion of Champion events for open and junior classes. “Over 250 soloists are travelling from as far as Britain to compete in one of New Zealands’ oldest music festivals” says the Championships Chairman Bob Davis. “We also welcome fours bands from Australia, Kew Melbourne, Brisbane Excelsior, Darebin Preston City (Melbourne) and Boroondara (Melbourne) as well as New Zealand bands from all parts of the country” said Davis.

“This event is a huge highlight for many band players both old and young as it is a hobby that you can truly participate in from eight to eighty” say Brass Bands Association spokesman Owen Melhuish.

The Champion Brass on the Shore event will host three Youth Bands, Kumeu Auxilary, Pelorus Trust Wellington Junior (defending champions) and Invercargill Auxilary Brass. At the other end of the spectrum is Pioneer Generation Roxburgh Brass which has a good number of retired members from throughout Central Otago, many of them ex National Band players and they are travelling to defend their D grade title won at Dunedin last year.

“A popular event is the Invitation Slow Melody event to be held at the Bruce Mason Centre 8pm Wednesday 4th July. This is a highly sought after event to participate and always draw a good crowd to hear the true melodies” says Davis

Saturday morning the traditional street march will parade through central Takapuna for the Naylor Love Parade of Bands. “The last time it was held here was in 1965 when the Auckland City Mayor would not permit bands to march down Queen Street and so the Mayor of Takapuna City invited bands to come across to his city” said Davis

Band events are to be held on the Friday and Saturday in five grades and will perform for the assembled judges at the Bruce Mason Centre and Rosmini College. Chief adjudicator is Nigel Boddice from Scotland an esteemed teacher, trumpet player and conductor who works throughout Europe.

Four of the best bands get to perform again in the Scenic Circle Hotels Band of the Year event at 2.00pm Sunday 8th July with guest entertainment judge Jackie Clarke invited to assist the music judges choose the “Band of the Year”

Door sales at all venues

Bookings recommended for Champion of Champions and Band of the Year event via Ticketek www.ticketek.co.nz

ENDS

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